Man jailed for nine years after committing robberies in Stoke-on-Trent
Joshua Woolley admitted to three robberies and knife possession
A man has been sentenced to nine years and four months behind bars after admitting to three knifepoint robberies committed in just over an hour in Stoke-on-Trent.
Joshua Woolley, 31, who has no fixed address, received his sentence at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 1st April after pleading guilty to three counts of robbery and three counts of possessing a knife in a public place.
The crimes occurred on 23rd October last year, starting around 3pm when Woolley entered a taxi on Dawlish Drive, Bentilee.
Once the vehicle stopped on Crestbrook Road, Abbey Hulton, he brandished a knife at the driver, who then fled.
Woolley chased him briefly before taking control of the taxi and driving away.
He proceeded to a petrol station on Ruxley Road, Bucknall, where he again used the knife to demand a staff member open the till.
Woolley left the premises with a box filled with tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes.
Shortly thereafter, at 3.40pm, officers responded to reports of a robbery at The Potteries Shopping Centre, Hanley.
Here, Woolley had approached a woman, forcefully removing two gold chains valued at about £2,000 from her neck.
Upon his arrest nearby, officers found the stolen necklaces, cigarettes, and a large kitchen knife in his possession.
Despite initially refusing to comment during the police interview, Woolley admitted to the crimes in court after being presented with substantial evidence, including forensic data from the abandoned taxi found on Arbour Road.
Lead investigator Pierce Linton from CID commented, "Woolley committed three knifepoint robberies across Stoke-on-Trent within about an hour. He showed no regard for his victims or their belongings. I hope this sentence demonstrates our commitment to protecting victims across Stoke-on-Trent and wider Staffordshire."